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<blockquote data-quote="ThirdWizard" data-source="post: 6615569" data-attributes="member: 12037"><p>Stepping through the portal, the four found themselves in a small shopfront, much tinier than Thesidass's shop. The room was dark, with no windows, lit by only a few candles scattered haphazardly on shelves and stands, and it smelled like a mixture of smoke, incense, and old paper. They stood for a few moments after having walked through the portal as their eyes adjusted to the light. They could hear a the bustling of foot traffic coming from somewhere above them, and they assumed they were in some kind of basement. The sound of rainfall continued from before, leading them to believe that they were still, indeed, in Sigil. Thankfully.</p><p></p><p>Behind a small pine wood counter was a large man. He stood just over six feet tall and was muscular, his skin was a dull gray. He had a book in his hand, an old tome showing signs of age, its cracked leather exterior having the words “Center of the Multiverse” burned into the cover. He put it down slowly as he looked up at the heavily armed customers.</p><p></p><p>Behind them was a doorway where the anchor for the portal was located, and from the other room they heard a man’s voice call out. “We have customers in there? Let me get my sword just in case.” The voice was casual, and the mention of a weapon seemed like less of a threat and more of a formal warning to would be thieves and troublemakers.</p><p></p><p>They stepped forward a bit, out of the doorway, and the man behind the counter nodded. “You here to buy?,” he asked flatly. “What’s your problem?” He looked at them like he was sizing them up to determine the strongest opponent in some kind of gladiatorial arena with an eye resting for more than a moment on Mozzy's and Aurian's arcane foci. He didn't seem impressed by their faction affiliations, which each of them advertised in different ways.</p><p></p><p>All along the walls were hanging various amulets, beaded bracelets, rings, and other accessories. They had similar styles to the talisman that Dancing Gull was wearing, many items utilizing the same twisting pattern they had seen on his bracelet. A small bookshelf behind the counter contained old tomes, many in scripts that they found unfamiliar.</p><p></p><p>“We’re here on behalf of another,” said Mehen.</p><p></p><p>“We need to speak with Tesa,” Mozzy added.</p><p></p><p>A man with a thin sword stepped out of the room behind them. His eyes had gold flakes, his hair red, and he wore a scowl like a weapon. Behind him they could see a woman standing in the darkness, just out of the candlelight. The man paused for a moment in the doorway, leaning against the frame. He exchanged a look with the man behind the counter after sizing the group up in much the same way as his business partner. The group was starting to think that if for some reason a fight were to break out, they may be the ones at a disadvantage.</p><p></p><p>“Need to know your business first,” said the red haired man. “Your... <em>friend</em>... couldn't make it here them self?”</p><p></p><p>“He’s ill,” said Aurian, then he spoke over the man’s shoulder to the woman behind him. “He can’t come himself. We’re here on his behalf. He has a deadly curse, and we were hired to find you and request your aid.”</p><p></p><p>The man behind the counter mumbled something under his breath.</p><p></p><p>The woman then approached them, stepping into the candlelight, revealing her dark skin, white hair, and pointed elf ears. “Easy Borough. They are customers. I will help if I can, and if you can pay.” the drow answered. Her voice was soft and unassuming, with no hint of an edge.</p><p></p><p>The fact that Tesa was a drow was a bit unnerving. Sure, in a place like Sigil where one dealt with all sorts of lower planar creatures, including fiends themselves, it wasn't all that uncommon to work closely with any particular being. But, still… it was always a bit disconcerting when you inadvertently found yourself alongside an unexpected ally.</p><p></p><p>Aurian spoke up, addressing the woman with the facts. “We’re working for a man named Colin Herald. His father, Gerar, is dying of a powerful curse that is sapping his life away. We would like to procure your services. He cannot be moved, so you would need to go to him, currently in the Lady’s Ward. Unfortunately, we do not have any details on how he received the curse or what exactly it entails, as he was unable to relate that information to his son. We do know that others have tried to remove the curse to no avail, so we came to the best. Payment will be reflect the gravity of the situation and your expertise.”</p><p></p><p>Tesa smiled. “I would like to help you. I haven’t left this shop in weeks. You see, I have a bounty on my head.” The two men tensed. The hand of the man between Tesa and the group slid down to the hilt of his sword. Tesa stepped forward and put her hand over the man’s, shaking her head. “They came seeking help, just like the others.”</p><p></p><p>“They want to take you to the Lady’s Ward.”</p><p></p><p>“Indeed. I admit it is not a place I want to go,” she looked at her customers sympathetically. “Perhaps there is some middle ground that could be reached?”</p><p></p><p>“Please,” said Mozzy, “Gerar can’t be moved, and without your aid he is going to die, and soon. There isn't much time.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ll guarantee your safety. I give my word that we will guard you to the destination,” added Mehen.</p><p></p><p>“The word of a Guvner,” Tesa mused. “And back, I suppose?” The group looked at each other uneasily, and Tesa narrowed her eyes. “What is this?”</p><p></p><p>“Bounty hunters are narrowing down on your location. A group called Red Wake knows about the portal from Thesidass's shop, although not how to use it to get here - yet. The shop owner, the neogi, Thesidass is likewise starting to become agitated with your clients using his shop as a go between. I’m not sure if you've met the creature, but he’s liable to kill your next customer. We would advise you to move somewhere else. I assume you can’t leave Sigil.”</p><p></p><p>She shook her head. “Sigil is the safest place for me right now, even with the bounty. Outside my protective wards, I would be found almost immediately, and I wouldn't have the Lady’s imposed civility to guard me.”</p><p></p><p>“Can we trust them?” asked red haired man, apparently named Borough. His eyes never left them, and his sword still rested on his sword hit.</p><p></p><p>“No choice. We should move to the next safe house,” said the big man behind the counter.</p><p></p><p>Borough considered a moment. There was a pause of a good half a minute while no one said anything, and the group was starting to become nervous. Maybe Borough and his friend would decide to just end them right there, and tie up any loose ends that they might be a part of. But, after thinking about it, Borough nodded sharply. “Dire has it set up and ready. We can have everything moved. But, what if this is just a trap?”</p><p></p><p>“Is it a trap?” asked Tesa, her eyes looking directly into Mozzy's.</p><p></p><p>Mozzy met her eyes. “We are sincere. This is life or death, and you are safe with us.”</p><p></p><p>Tesa considered her a moment, then nodded. “We’ll take the storm drains, then I’ll use the next portal,” she turned to the man behind the counter, “and I’ll meet you at the next Eight Watchful Eyes later tonight.”</p><p></p><p>“Fine,” replied the man. “Hurry. And watch your back. We’ll be out of here quick.”</p><p></p><p>Borough scowled. Or continued to scowl. “Whatever you want.” He turned to go into the other room, presumably to start readying for the move.</p><p></p><p>At that, the gray man behind the counter started pulling down inventory into sacks with the hand of someone who had done so countless times. Feeling that they would be gone soon, Mehen looked around, spotting a crack in a floorboard. When no one was looking, he tossed the silver coin into it as quietly as he could. The group had decided the coin must have some kind of magical tracking spell on it or that it was tied to something of that nature, and they did not want to carry it around with them after leaving with Tesa. Hopefully, hiding it here would be their best option. Red Wake would show up to an empty store, and their debt would technically be paid. That was the plan, at least.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ThirdWizard, post: 6615569, member: 12037"] Stepping through the portal, the four found themselves in a small shopfront, much tinier than Thesidass's shop. The room was dark, with no windows, lit by only a few candles scattered haphazardly on shelves and stands, and it smelled like a mixture of smoke, incense, and old paper. They stood for a few moments after having walked through the portal as their eyes adjusted to the light. They could hear a the bustling of foot traffic coming from somewhere above them, and they assumed they were in some kind of basement. The sound of rainfall continued from before, leading them to believe that they were still, indeed, in Sigil. Thankfully. Behind a small pine wood counter was a large man. He stood just over six feet tall and was muscular, his skin was a dull gray. He had a book in his hand, an old tome showing signs of age, its cracked leather exterior having the words “Center of the Multiverse” burned into the cover. He put it down slowly as he looked up at the heavily armed customers. Behind them was a doorway where the anchor for the portal was located, and from the other room they heard a man’s voice call out. “We have customers in there? Let me get my sword just in case.” The voice was casual, and the mention of a weapon seemed like less of a threat and more of a formal warning to would be thieves and troublemakers. They stepped forward a bit, out of the doorway, and the man behind the counter nodded. “You here to buy?,” he asked flatly. “What’s your problem?” He looked at them like he was sizing them up to determine the strongest opponent in some kind of gladiatorial arena with an eye resting for more than a moment on Mozzy's and Aurian's arcane foci. He didn't seem impressed by their faction affiliations, which each of them advertised in different ways. All along the walls were hanging various amulets, beaded bracelets, rings, and other accessories. They had similar styles to the talisman that Dancing Gull was wearing, many items utilizing the same twisting pattern they had seen on his bracelet. A small bookshelf behind the counter contained old tomes, many in scripts that they found unfamiliar. “We’re here on behalf of another,” said Mehen. “We need to speak with Tesa,” Mozzy added. A man with a thin sword stepped out of the room behind them. His eyes had gold flakes, his hair red, and he wore a scowl like a weapon. Behind him they could see a woman standing in the darkness, just out of the candlelight. The man paused for a moment in the doorway, leaning against the frame. He exchanged a look with the man behind the counter after sizing the group up in much the same way as his business partner. The group was starting to think that if for some reason a fight were to break out, they may be the ones at a disadvantage. “Need to know your business first,” said the red haired man. “Your... [I]friend[/I]... couldn't make it here them self?” “He’s ill,” said Aurian, then he spoke over the man’s shoulder to the woman behind him. “He can’t come himself. We’re here on his behalf. He has a deadly curse, and we were hired to find you and request your aid.” The man behind the counter mumbled something under his breath. The woman then approached them, stepping into the candlelight, revealing her dark skin, white hair, and pointed elf ears. “Easy Borough. They are customers. I will help if I can, and if you can pay.” the drow answered. Her voice was soft and unassuming, with no hint of an edge. The fact that Tesa was a drow was a bit unnerving. Sure, in a place like Sigil where one dealt with all sorts of lower planar creatures, including fiends themselves, it wasn't all that uncommon to work closely with any particular being. But, still… it was always a bit disconcerting when you inadvertently found yourself alongside an unexpected ally. Aurian spoke up, addressing the woman with the facts. “We’re working for a man named Colin Herald. His father, Gerar, is dying of a powerful curse that is sapping his life away. We would like to procure your services. He cannot be moved, so you would need to go to him, currently in the Lady’s Ward. Unfortunately, we do not have any details on how he received the curse or what exactly it entails, as he was unable to relate that information to his son. We do know that others have tried to remove the curse to no avail, so we came to the best. Payment will be reflect the gravity of the situation and your expertise.” Tesa smiled. “I would like to help you. I haven’t left this shop in weeks. You see, I have a bounty on my head.” The two men tensed. The hand of the man between Tesa and the group slid down to the hilt of his sword. Tesa stepped forward and put her hand over the man’s, shaking her head. “They came seeking help, just like the others.” “They want to take you to the Lady’s Ward.” “Indeed. I admit it is not a place I want to go,” she looked at her customers sympathetically. “Perhaps there is some middle ground that could be reached?” “Please,” said Mozzy, “Gerar can’t be moved, and without your aid he is going to die, and soon. There isn't much time.” “We’ll guarantee your safety. I give my word that we will guard you to the destination,” added Mehen. “The word of a Guvner,” Tesa mused. “And back, I suppose?” The group looked at each other uneasily, and Tesa narrowed her eyes. “What is this?” “Bounty hunters are narrowing down on your location. A group called Red Wake knows about the portal from Thesidass's shop, although not how to use it to get here - yet. The shop owner, the neogi, Thesidass is likewise starting to become agitated with your clients using his shop as a go between. I’m not sure if you've met the creature, but he’s liable to kill your next customer. We would advise you to move somewhere else. I assume you can’t leave Sigil.” She shook her head. “Sigil is the safest place for me right now, even with the bounty. Outside my protective wards, I would be found almost immediately, and I wouldn't have the Lady’s imposed civility to guard me.” “Can we trust them?” asked red haired man, apparently named Borough. His eyes never left them, and his sword still rested on his sword hit. “No choice. We should move to the next safe house,” said the big man behind the counter. Borough considered a moment. There was a pause of a good half a minute while no one said anything, and the group was starting to become nervous. Maybe Borough and his friend would decide to just end them right there, and tie up any loose ends that they might be a part of. But, after thinking about it, Borough nodded sharply. “Dire has it set up and ready. We can have everything moved. But, what if this is just a trap?” “Is it a trap?” asked Tesa, her eyes looking directly into Mozzy's. Mozzy met her eyes. “We are sincere. This is life or death, and you are safe with us.” Tesa considered her a moment, then nodded. “We’ll take the storm drains, then I’ll use the next portal,” she turned to the man behind the counter, “and I’ll meet you at the next Eight Watchful Eyes later tonight.” “Fine,” replied the man. “Hurry. And watch your back. We’ll be out of here quick.” Borough scowled. Or continued to scowl. “Whatever you want.” He turned to go into the other room, presumably to start readying for the move. At that, the gray man behind the counter started pulling down inventory into sacks with the hand of someone who had done so countless times. Feeling that they would be gone soon, Mehen looked around, spotting a crack in a floorboard. When no one was looking, he tossed the silver coin into it as quietly as he could. The group had decided the coin must have some kind of magical tracking spell on it or that it was tied to something of that nature, and they did not want to carry it around with them after leaving with Tesa. Hopefully, hiding it here would be their best option. Red Wake would show up to an empty store, and their debt would technically be paid. That was the plan, at least. [/QUOTE]
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